Obituary of Tom Joseph McBride

Tom Joseph McBride, Ph.D., age 93, of State College, Pennsylvania, died on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at home. Dr. McBride was born on September 2, 1924 in Coffeyville, Kansas, the son of the late Floyd B. McBride, M.D., and Iva M. (Witham) McBride. Following the death of his father in 1925, Tom was raised by his mother, in Cherryvale, Kansas, in the home of his maternal grandfather, Joseph C. Witham. Tom graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1943. He was first stationed at Purdue University in a Marine V-12 unit until November 1944, then went through San Diego, California 'Boot Camp' and Marine Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, California. In the Pacific he saw active duty as a machine gunner in the Okinawa campaign as a member of F Co., 2nd Battalion of the First Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and, subsequently, served with them on garrison duty in Tientsin, China. He proudly wore ribbons for Combat Action, a Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct, American Pacific Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, World War II, and China Service. Honorably discharged in 1946, Tom enrolled at the University of Kansas and on June 14, 1947 married Barbara Elizabeth LeSuer of Lawrence, Kansas. Tom earned a bachelor's degree in 1949, a master's degree in medical bacteriology in 1950 from the University of Kansas, and his doctorate from Northwestern University Graduate School in 1953. His professional career was spent in various research and production capacities with Pfizer, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY, Maywood, NJ, Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, and Groton, Connecticut. He was active in laboratory antibiotic discovery and development programs, cancer chemotherapy screening, antibiotic disc production, and in clinical research programs with new antibiotics. Following retirement in 1987, Tom and Barbara settled in State College, PA in 1988, where he eventually became a member of the Nittany Leatherneck Detachment of the Marine Corps League, State College Lodge 700 Free and Accepted Masons, Bellefonte Chapter 241 Royal Arch Masons, Bellefonte Commandery 33 Knights Templar, and AASR Valley of Williamsport Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons. He was a supporter of the State College Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexic Children. Tom was also a member of the First Marine Division Association, the Marine Corps Association, and the China Marine Association. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in State College. During his residence in Ridgewood, NJ, he was active in the BSA and proudly served there as Scoutmaster of Troop 5 for several years. He greatly enjoyed fishing and camping. He and Barbara spent many delightful days on extensive vacation traveling both in America and abroad. He maintained a great interest in the history of the American Civil War and also spent long and pleasurable hours as a family genealogist. Dr. McBride is survived by three wonderful children and six delightful grandchildren: Douglas McBride, and his children, Clinton and Sarah, of Eagle River, Alaska; Susan Wilson, husband, Robert, and their children, Lindsay and Evan, of Camp Hill, PA; and by Duncan McBride and his children, Daniel and Brian, of Glenview, IL. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at his home, 1221 Mayberry Ln., State College, on Sunday, May 27, 2018 from 2pm until 6pm. A time of scripture and prayer will be led by the Reverend P. Stevens Lynn at 3pm, followed by light refreshments. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801 or to the Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway # 1509, New York, NY 10018. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.